Hood sleeve

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with a hood sleeve which is formed from a sealing body and a hood body these two parts being held together with the aid of a mechanical retaining device, initially without a sealing effect. The sealing-off between the hood body and the sealing body is carried out with the aid of a seal system which is activated by a functional element, for example in the form of an eccentric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hood sleeve comprising a hood body and asealing body with cable inlets and an annular seal device between thehood body and the sealing body, the sealing body having a retainingdevice for the mechanical connection of the hood body to the sealingbody.

A hood sleeve of this type is known from the German Offenlegungsschrift40 35 557. This document concerns a hood body which is terminated at itsopen end with a seal body. In this case, the sealing action isundertaken using a seal system in which the necessary seal pressure iscarried out by means of a clamping ring which is attached on the outsideand which clamps around the hood body in the region of the seal. Thisclamping ring contains a trapezoidal groove, in which the flange of thehood body and of the seal body is clamped around. As a result of joiningthe clamping ring together, the two parts press together on a seal ring.Here, the mutual fixing of the hood body and seal body is combined withthe sealing system.

The European Patent Application 0 120 541 like-wise discloses a hoodsleeve in which the hood body is pressed onto the basic body with theaid of a clamping ring, an annular seal being inserted between the hoodbody and the basic body. The clamping ring has engagement elements whichengage into corresponding mating elements of the basic body. Thisclosure is substantially designed following the principles of a bayonetclosure and the necessary seal pressure is generated by rotating theclamping ring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the object of providing a hood sleevewhose closure is initially carried out without force and separate fromthe seal system, it being intended to be able to be used in particularin joining optical cables, so that the requirements in relation to theclamping of the optical cables and the guidance of bundles of opticalfibers within the hood sleeve are to be taken into account.

The set objective is achieved, according to the invention, with a hoodsleeve of the type mentioned at the beginning in that the sealing bodycomprises a pressure plate and a terminating plate, which are arrangedone above the other, in that the terminating plate has functionalelements for the retaining device between the hood body and the sealingbody, in that the seal device comprises a seal groove which runs aroundthe circumference and varies in width and a sealing ring made of anelastomer, in that the sealing groove is formed by circumferential andinterengaging profiles in the pressure plate and the terminating plate,the pressure plate and the terminating plate being movable in relationto each other for the sealing action by at least one functional elementin such a way that the width of the seal groove becomes smaller and thesealing ring can be pressed in a sealing manner by means of deformationagainst the inner wall of the hood body, in that the hood body hasfunctional elements, corresponding to the terminating plate, for theretaining device, in that cable inlets are each provided with acompression seal and a clamping system for a cable sheath and a centralelement of an optical fiber cable, in that a cassette carrier foroptical fiber cassettes is arranged projecting into the interior of thehood sleeve and has fastening elements on the sealing body, in thatbetween the sealing body and the cassette carrier a free space for thedivision of bundles of optical fibers is provided, in that a pluralityof supply chambers is arranged on the cassette carrier for theaccommodation of excess lengths of the optical multifiber units.

In the case of the hood sleeve according to the invention, advantagescan be seen in particular in the fact that the hood body, following theassembly of the inner built-in fittings, is initially joined togetherwithout force using a sealing body, so that the sealing device can beoperated independently thereof, in that the inserted cables, inparticular optical cables, can be clamped directly at the cable inletsusing their central elements, in that immediately adjacently thereaftera free space is provided in which the optical multifiber units, freed oftheir cable sheaths, are already combined here to form correspondinglyassociated "functional bundles" and are fed to a supply chamberenvisaged for excess lengths, from which the bundled feeding to theappropriate cassette is then carried out. In addition, it isadvantageous that the cassettes are arranged in an easily understoodmanner in a cassette carrier where they are movably supported in such away that the necessary accessibility is enabled.

As a result of the fact that the sealing device between the hood bodyand the sealing body is carried out independently of the mechanicalretaining device, for example of a bayonet closure, between the twoparts, the sealing device can be designed in an optimum fashion. Itessentially comprises a seal groove which varies in width and in which asoft sealing ring made of an elastomer is inserted. By means of afunctional element for the sealing action, for example an eccentriclever or in the form of compression screws, the groove width is narrowedso that the inserted sealing ring is pressed against the inner wall ofthe hood body as a consequence of its forcible deformation.

The seals in the cable inlets are implemented as compression seals, forexample as conical seals, and contain sealing rings which, following theintroduction of the cables from the inner side of the sealing body, arepressed in in a sealing manner with the aid of compression rings. Inaddition, the cable clamping means are also provided here and containgripping elements with which the cable sheath is in each case grippedcounter to axially acting forces. These cable clamping means alsocontain clamping elements for the respective central element of theinserted optical cable. The advantage of this arrangement thus residesin the fact that the cable sealing and the clamping systems for thecable sheath and the respective central element are combined. In thisarrangement, appropriate electrically conductive connection capabilitiescan also be provided, such as ground connections, for example.

A further advantage is that the cassette carrier for the individualcassettes is arranged directly on the sealing body, preferably movably,the arrangement being selected such that, between the sealing body andthe cassettes arranged in the block, a free space is formed in which, asmentioned above, the leading together of the optical multifiber unitsfrom various cable entries can be carried out. This results in afunctionally ordered guidance of the individually associated bundles ofoptical fibers, so that in the event of later service work on thesleeve, simple and easily understandable working is ensured by the goodcomprehensibility in the guidance of the multifiber units. Thecomprehensibility is also further supported to the extent that aplurality of supply chambers for bundles of optical fibers is provided,so that a further group ordering may also be achieved here in thecorresponding leading together. For continuous optical multifiber unitswhich are not at present to be spliced, and for any spare units, forexample a dedicated supply chamber is provided, which expediently isarranged behind the cassettes, so that they do not get in the way duringnormal service work.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a hood sleeve foraccommodating a plurality of fiber optic cables that may include aplurality of optical multifiber units. The hood sleeve includes a hoodbody having an open end, a closed end and an inner wall. The hood sleevealso includes a sealing body that includes a terminating plate, apressure plate and an annular sealing ring disposed therebetween. Theterminating plate is attached to the open end of the hood body with thepressure plate disposed between the hood body and the terminating plate,and primarily inside the hood body. The sealing ring is disposed betweenthe terminating plate and the pressure plate.

The terminating plate and pressure plate are movable towards one anotherand away from one another. When the pressure and terminating plates movetowards one another, the sealing ring is compressed and is deformedradially outward so that it engages the inside wall of the hood bodythereby providing the sealing engagement between the sealing ring andthe inside wall of the hood body.

The terminating plate also includes a plurality of cable inlets, eachcable inlet accommodates at least one fiber optic cable, each cableinlet also comprising a compression seal for providing a seal betweenthe fiber optic cable extending through the inlet and the inlet itself.

In an embodiment, the hood sleeve of the present invention alsocomprises a cassette carrier for accommodating a plurality of cassettes.The carrier is disposed between the closed end of the hood body and thepressure plate. The hood sleeve also comprises an open space disposedbetween the pressure plate and the cassette carrier for dividing theoptical fiber cables into optical multifiber units. The hood sleeve alsocomprises a plurality of supply chambers disposed between the cassettecarrier and the inner wall of the hood body for accommodating excesslengths of the optical multifiber units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to 17figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the guidance of bundles of optical fiber wires inside thehood sleeve.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1, viewed from inside.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a side view.

FIG. 4 shows the sealing body in individual parts.

FIG. 5 shows the sealing body in the assembled state.

FIG. 6 shows the functional element for the sealing system.

FIG. 7 shows the hood body.

FIG. 8 shows elements for the clamping.

FIG. 9 shows a plug-in sleeve for making ground contact.

FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of clamping elements.

FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment for cable clamping, inwhich cable sheath flaps are gripped.

FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment for a cable clamping means.

FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment for a cable clamping means.

FIG. 14 shows the cassette carrier.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment for a seal in a cable inlet.

FIG. 16 shows a modified design of the hood body.

FIG. 17 shows a valve cap.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols,phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details which are not necessary for an understandingof the present invention or which render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall arrangement of the hood sleeve 1according to the invention, the guidance of the bundles of optical fiberwires being particularly evident, on which good comprehensibility isbased. The hood sleeve 1 comprises the sealing body 2 with thecorresponding cable inlets 3 for individual cable entries and a cableinlet 4 for a double cable entry, for example for uncut cables, and acassette holder 5 with the individual cassettes 6 and the hood body,which has been removed here and is therefore not shown.

The sealing body 2 comprises a terminating plate 7, located on theoutside, in which the sealing systems of the cable inlets 3 and 4 arearranged, a pressure plate 9, located on the inside, which can be movedin relation to the terminating plate 7 in a manner such that thecircumferential sealing groove formed between the two can be varied inwidth, and the sealing ring 8 which is arranged in this sealing groove.The mode of action of this sealing system will be explained in moredetail later. The terminating plate 7 has on its circumference theretaining devices 10 with which the purely mechanical coherence betweenhood body and sealing body is produced and which is designed here, byway of example, as a bayonet closure. The cassette holder 5 is arrangeddirectly on the seal body 2, in particular on the pressure plate 9, withthe aid of fastening elements 11, this fastening also being able to beimplemented in a pivotable manner. This has the advantage that thecassette holder 5 can be tilted into a favorable working position. Thecassette carrier 5 is additionally designed, together with its fasteningelements 11, for example in the form of elongated supports, such that afree space 12 results between the sealing body 2 and the block for thecassettes 6. Within this free space 12, the optical multifiber units,freed from their cable sheaths, can be combined into appropriatelycomprehensible "functional bundles" and can be routed further to theprovided supply chambers 13, 14 and 15. Arranged between them is theblock of cassettes 6 which, in this way, is particularly favorablyaccessible from all the supply chambers for the comprehensible insertionof the multi-fiber units. The cassettes 6 can be moved in relation toone another in such a way that they can be brought out of their positioninto a position in which all the functional parts on the cassette 6 areaccessible. In this case, a plug-in mounting for the cassettes 6 isselected, so that the cassettes can be removed individually. However, arotatable mounting of the cassettes in the cassette holder is alsopossible in principle.

The optical cables 16 are led in through the cable inlets 3 and 4 andclamped there, the representation of the clamping systems also beingomitted here for reasons of clarity. The assembling of the "functionalbundles" is carried out in the free space 12, these then being laid inthe supply chambers with their excess lengths, specifically themultifiber units 17 for the upper half of the cassette block into thesupply chamber 14, the multifiber units 18 for the lower half of thecassette block into the supply chamber 15 and the excess lengths of thecontinuous multifiber units and of the spare units 19 into the supplychamber 13.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement within the hood sleeve 1 from above, thatis to say viewed onto the rear of the cassette carrier 5 which isfastened to the sealing body 2. Here, the comprehensible multifiberguidance is particularly distinct; this is because no crossings ofmultifiber units result. The multifiber units 17 of the right supplychamber 14 are guided into the cassettes 6 of the right half of thecassette block and the multifiber units 18 from the left supply chamber15 are guided into the cassettes 6 of the left half of the cassetteblock, while the excess lengths of the continuous multifiber units andspare units 19 remain in the upper supply chamber 13 or, following thedeposition of the excess lengths, are guided back to the cable inlets.The supply chambers 13, 14, 15 are configured, for example, asangle-shaped bent, stamped or injection-molded parts and, usingbent-over upstands at the walls, prevent optical multifiber unitssliding out.

In addition, the view is given onto the pressure plate 9, through whichthe cable inlets 3 and 4 pass.

FIG. 3 then shows a view of the hood sleeve 1 from the side with thehood body removed. From this it can be seen that the cable inlets 3 and4 are designed on the outside as stubs which, for example, are closed inthe delivered state and are cut open only when required, so that cableinlets which are not needed remain closed. These stubs serve at the sametime as kink protection for the inserted cables and in addition keeposcillations away from the cable entry seals. The sealing body 2 in thecase of this exemplary embodiment further contains a central opening 21through which, using a corresponding seal, the functional element forthe sealing action, for example an eccentric lever, is guided. When thisfunctional element is actuated, the variable sealing groove 20 formedbetween the covering plate 7 and the pressure plate 9 is narrowed by thepressure plate 9 being drawn toward the covering plate 7 by thefunctional element for the sealing action. At the same time, the sealingring, not illustrated here, is deformed and pressed in a sealing manneragainst the inner wall of the hood body, not shown here.

Located between the sealing body 2 and the cassette holder 5 is the freespace 12 which serves for the accommodation of the distribution of thebundles and assembling of the bundles, and of the cable clamping means,not shown here, which adjoin the cable inlets. It also becomes clearthat, as a result of the measure of guiding the bundles in functionalgroups, good comprehensibility is ensured. In addition, the course ofthe excess lengths of the bundles of optical fibers within the supplychamber 15 can be seen, said units being guided at the rear end to thecassettes 6.

The structure of the sealing body 2, which essentially consists of theterminating plate 7, the sealing ring 8 and the pressure plate 9,emerges from FIG. 4, all the individual parts being shown here in thenon-assembled state. The terminating plate 7 has at the rim thefunctional elements 10 for the mechanical retaining device belonging tothe hood body, a bayonet closure having stops as safeguard againstoverrotation being selected here. However, at this point other closuremechanisms, known per se, could also be fitted. The circumferentialinner rim 35 of the terminating plate 7, together with an annularprofile 37, serves as a side wall and groove base for the variable sealgroove, the second side wall of which is formed by the inner rim 36 ofthe pressure plate 9. Lying between these as the seal is then thesealing ring 8 made of a soft elastomer with a hardness >10% Shore. Inthe case of this exemplary embodiment, serving as the functional elementfor the sealing action is an eccentric lever which is inserted in acentral bored hole 34 and is led to the outside through the terminatingplate 7 through a bored hole which cannot be seen here. When thisfunctional element is set into action, the pressure plate 9 is pulledtoward the terminating plate 7, the variable seal groove becomesnarrower, the sealing ring 8 deforms and is thereby pressed in a sealingmanner against the inner wall of the hood body. In an embodiment, thefunctional element may be provided in the form of a screw that connectsthe terminating plate 7 to the pressure plate 9. The screw can passthrough the terminating plate 7, preferably through a centralized holetherein, and be threadably connected to the pressure plate 9. Rotationof the screw therefore draws the pressure plate 9 towards theterminating plate 7 resulting in a compression of the sealing ring 8.

Fitted in the terminating plate 7 are the cable inlets 3 and 4, whichare lengthened to the outside as stubs. Inserted into the normal cableinlets 3 are cables which end or are spliced in the hood sleeve.Continuous and therefore not cut cables or else only individualcontinuous wires or bundles of a cable are inserted through the doublecable inlet 4, in which two cylindrical holes are connected to eachother by an open connecting web 23. In this way, the cable can beinserted uncut through the two cylindrical holes and the open connectingweb 23. The sealing of the cable inlets 3 and 4 is carried out usingcompression seals which are formed from elastomeric sealing rings incylindrical or conical form and from a pressure piece 24 or 24a, whichunder certain circumstances can also be divided. For safety, stops areprovided in order to prevent overrotation of the pressure pieces, whichare designed as sleeve elements. At these cable inlets 3 and 4,according to the invention, the clamping processes for the cable sheathand for the central element of an optical cable are now undertaken atthe same time. In the case of this design, cylindrical sleeve elements24 and 24a are used as clamping means for the seals in closed or dividedform, and compress the cable inlet seals by being screwed into theprojecting threads of the cable inlets 3 and 4. These cylindrical sleeveelements 24 and 24a contain radial openings into which pressure pieces25 project. Using clamping bands, which are clamped into thecircumferential grooves 29 provided, the pressure pieces 25 are pressedinto the surface of the inserted cable sheath, so that they are grippedin a manner safe against slippage. Attached here to the inwardlypointing rim of the cylindrical sleeve element 24 or 24a, as clampingsystem for the respective central element of an optical cable, are atleast two elongated attachments 26, which are led together at the end,where the ends 27, together with a sleeve 28 which can be plugged on,form the clamping means for the central element projecting out of thecable. The pluggable sleeve 28 is additionally designed as anelectrically conductive contact element. In the case of the exemplaryembodiment shown, the functions for compressing the seal, clamping thecable sheath and clamping the central element are thus combined in thepressure pieces 24 and 24a designed as sleeve elements.

Furthermore, an opening 31 for a ground potential leadthrough 20 isprovided in the terminating plate 7. Provided for all these insertionsin the pressure plate 9 at the appropriate points are openings 32 and33, through which the inserted elements can be led in an unimpededmanner, so that the pressure plate 9 can be moved without hindrance inorder to tension the annular seal.

Furthermore, it is shown that the double seal in the cable inlet 4 andthe connecting web contains a pressure piece 22, with which the doubleseal is pressed down. This is carried out using two sleeve elements 24and 24a.

In FIG. 5, the sealing body 2 is shown in the assembled state, theconfiguration of the seal system comprising the two rims 35 and 36 ofthe terminating plate 7 and of the pressure plate 9 and the sealing ring8 lying between them, in particular, being able to be seen here. Here,the insertion of the clamping systems for the cable sheaths and thecentral elements in the cable inlets 3 and 4, together with the press-inpressure pieces 25, also becomes clear. In the remaining cable inlets,grooves 78 for rotational securing of the sleeve elements 24 and 24a canbe seen.

FIG. 6 shows a functional element for the sealing action, which in thiscase is designed as an eccentric lever 38. The actuation of the pressureplate is carried out in this case by the pin 39, which projects axiallyinto the hood sleeve through the terminating plate and engages in thebored hole 34 (see FIG. 4) in the pressure plate 7. This pin 39 is ledthrough an elastic seal in the terminating plate 7 to the outside, wherethere is a joint 41 with an eccentric. By moving the lever 40, the pin39 is pulled toward the outside and thereby presses the pressure plate 9against the terminating plate 7. The lever 40 is finally fixed on thehood body after having been moved and may have a lead seal fitted. Theleadthrough seal for the pin 39 comprises a silicone element which isactivated when the functional element is actuated. However, screws orsimilar elements may be used as functional elements, which under certaincircumstances could be actuated by a flexible extension. Markings, whichindicate whether the sleeve is open or closed, are expediently provided.

FIG. 7 shows the hood body 42, which is connected to the sealing bodywith the aid of the functional elements, corresponding to the sealingbody, for the mechanical retention, here in the form of attachments 43for a bayonet closure. The hood body 42 is provided with longitudinallyextending and circumferential ribs 44 for reinforcement, correspondingretaining capabilities in the form of bored holes or holes 45,attachments or the like being arranged as required. Provided at theupper end of the hood body 42 is a valve opening 46, in which a sealinsert 47 having a valve 48 and a closure cover 49 can be inserted. Acutout 50 is arranged at the rim of the valve opening.

FIG. 8 represents a clamping system for the cable sheath and the centralelement of an optical cable in detail. The cylindrical sleeve part 24 isscrewed with a thread 51 into the thread of a cable inlet and is thusfirmly fixed on the terminating plate of the sealing body and therebycompresses the cable inlet seals. Arranged at the upper end of thesleeve part 24 is a circumferential groove 29, in which the pressurepieces 25 project inward through radial openings. Following theinsertion of a cable, the pressure pieces 25, which additionally havesharp-edged profiles on the inwardly directed surfaces, are pressed ontothe cable sheath with the aid of a clamping band which is drawn into thegroove 29. The cable sheath is thus fixed. On the other hand, thecentral element of the optical cable is subsequently clamped separatelywith the aid of band-like extensions 26. A terminating sleeve 28, inwhich the central element is fixed with the aid of sharp-edged springelements 52, is placed on the ends 27 of these extensions 26. Theterminating sleeve 28 further has latching elements 27 for the purposeof fixing on the ends 27 of the extensions 26. In addition, theterminating sleeve 28 is equipped with an electrical connecting element54.

FIG. 9 shows the terminating sleeve 28 in detail. To be seen here, inparticular, are the spring elements 52, acting as barbs, for grippingthe central element, and a clamping element 53. The upper end isdesigned as a plug contact 54. The central element is pushed from belowinto the terminating sleeve 28, where it is then gripped and contacted.

FIG. 10 shows another version of a cable clamping means. It comprises aring 60, which has recesses 63 into which bent-over part-rings 59 ofelongated extension webs 64 engage. This ring, when assembled, is theninserted into a cable inlet and is fixed therein in the axial directionusing a threaded ring. The two extension webs 64 are then firmly clampedto the inserted cable sheath using clamping bands, for which purpose theholes which are made can also be used. The extension webs 64 are ledtogether conically and provided with a clamping sleeve 61 for thecentral element. Here, too, an electrical connection 62 can be provided.The ring 60 can also be divided, so that it can also be employed duringthe insertion and clamping of uncut cables. Shown in FIG. 11 is aclamping system for a cable sheath, in which slit cable sheath flaps areclamped. This clamping system comprises a sleeve 65, which is fixedeither with its free end in turn, in a cable inlet or otherwise usingits attached flanges 66. The other end has axially directed slots 67,into which longitudinally slit cable sheath segments are inserted andare fixed with the aid of laterally acting screws 69. The multifiberunits are led further through the central opening 68.

FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a cable clamping means,in which by contrast cable sheath segments are gripped in a clampingfashion, but using a terminating piece. As in the case of the previousexemplary embodiment, cable sheath flaps are inserted into axiallyrunning slots 67 in the sleeve 65, additional metal inserts 70 formaking contact with a cable shield being inserted in these slots 67. Theclamping of the cable sheath segments is carried out here with the aidof a clamping piece 72, which engages laterally with attachments 73 inprovided slots 71. This clamping piece 72 is shown in more detail inFIG. 13 and is joined in accordance with the outlines.

FIG. 14 illustrates the structure of a cassette carrier 5 which,according to the invention, is fastened to corresponding fasteningflanges 77 of the pressure plate 9, a rotatable or tiltable arrangementalso being able to be provided. In the cassette holder 5 of this design,a plurality of compartments 74 are formed with the aid of plate elements76 which are arranged in a row at a distance one from another. Theindividual optical fiber cassettes 6 can now be inserted into thesecompartments 74 and fixed. In this arrangement it is possible for eachcassette to be removed individually for service work, without othercassettes being involved. In addition, two of the supply chambers 13 and15 are visible, being formed from surface elements whose rims 75 arebent over inward and serve as retaining elements for the insertedbundles of optical fibers. Of course, other arrangements can also beselected in which, for example, the accessibility of the individualcassettes is ensured by means of suitable tilting constructions. Inaddition, a lock 79 for the cassettes can be provided which, forexample, in each case reaches over half of the cassette block. It isarranged either in a plug-in manner or in a pivotable manner above thecassettes and thus secures the cassettes in the cassette carrier in thecase of severe shaking or oscillatory loading.

FIG. 15 shows the seal for the functioning element for actuating theseal unit. For reasons of simplicity, only this seal arrangement isillustrated in this figure. It comprises a cylindrical blind hole 80 inthe terminating plate 7 of the hood sleeve, which hole is preferablyarranged centrally, a mirror-symmetrical double conical hose-like sealpart 81 made of elastic material such as, for example silicone, and acover 82 in which the entry opening 83 for the leadthrough pin 39 of thefunctional element shown in FIG. 6 [lacuna]. The activation of the sealis carried out during the actuation of the functional element; this isbecause during this process the cover 82 is pulled into the blind holeand the seal 81 is compressed in a sealing manner around the pin 39passing through. The double-conical configuration of the seal part 81makes it possible for expansion fluctuations in the sealing system to becompensated.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the hood body 42 in which, for example,four indentations 84 are arranged. Three thereof are conceived for theengagement of the finger, in order therewith to be able to place thehood body 42 better onto the sealing body and turn it into the bayonetclosure. The fourth indentation 84 is provided for a valve, which can becovered with a cap.

FIG. 17 shows a cap 85 for the covering of an indentation 84, providedwith a valve, of the hood body 42 (FIG. 17). This cap 85 is plugged withthe sleeve part 86 onto the valve, being linked on in a captive mannerwith the aid of a molded-on film strip 87. In conclusion, reference ismade to the fact that the seals in the cable inlets may also be composedof plastic material, the conically designed walls in the sealing regionsthen being of cylindrical design. This produces a step to the outwardlyprojecting stubs. This step serves as a counterbearing for thecompression of the plastic sealing material. Between the sealingmaterial and the step, a compression, ring matched to the cable diameterof the inserted cable can then be inserted. In the case of the doubleinsertion, an appropriately shaped pressure plate is then to be used.

From the above description, it is apparent that the objects andadvantages of the present invention have been achieved. While onlycertain embodiments have been set forth, alternative embodiments andvarious modifications will be apparent from the above description tothose skilled in the art. For example, the means for sealing the cablesin the cable inlets 3, 4 can vary from the specific designs disclosed.In addition, the arrangement of the components inside the hood body 42may also be varied. These and other alternatives are consideredequivalents and within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A hood sleeve for accommodating a plurality of opticalfiber cables and cassettes, the optical fiber cables including aplurality of optical multifiber units, the hood sleeve comprising:a hoodbody having an open end, a closed end and an inner wall, and a sealingbody comprising a terminating plate and a pressure plate, theterminating plate being detachably connected to the open end of the hoodbody with the pressure plate disposed therebetween, the sealing bodyfurther comprising a sealing ring sandwiched between the terminatingplate and the pressure plate, the terminating plate and the pressureplate being movable relative to one another for deforming the sealingring in a radially outward direction and against the inner wall of thehood body, the terminating plate comprising a plurality of cable inlets,each cable inlet accommodating an optical fiber cable, each cable inletcomprising a compression seal for providing a seal between the opticalfiber cable extending through the inlet.
 2. The hood sleeve of claim 1wherein the hood sleeve further comprises a cassette carrier foraccommodating a plurality of cassettes, the cassette carrier beingdisposed between the closed end of the hood body and the pressure plate.3. The hood sleeve of claim 2 wherein the hood sleeve further comprisesan open space disposed between the pressure plate and the cassettecarrier for dividing the optical fiber cables into optical multifiberunits.
 4. The hood sleeve of claim 3 wherein the hood sleeve furthercomprises a plurality of supply chambers disposed between the cassettecarrier and the inner wall of the hood body for accommodating theoptical multifiber units.
 5. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the hoodbody further comprises an outer wall comprising a plurality ofstiffening ribs.
 6. The hood sleeve of claim 5 wherein at least one ofthe stiffening ribs comprises a hole for attaching an article to thehood body.
 7. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the hood body iffabricated from a mixture of polypropylene and talc.
 8. The hood sleeveof claim 1 wherein the terminating plate is connected to the hood bodyby a bayonet closure having at least one stop.
 9. The hood sleeve ofclaim 1 wherein the hood body further comprises at least opening thataccommodates a removable closure valve.
 10. The hood sleeve of claim 1wherein the hood body further comprises a cylindrically shaped openingwith a sidewall, the opening accommodating a removable closure valve,the sidewall comprising a cutout portion.
 11. The hood sleeve of claim 1wherein the terminating plate further comprises a hole for accommodatinga functional element, the functional element passing through the holeand engaging the pressure plate, pressure on the functional element in adirection from the pressure plate towards the termination plateresulting in movement of the pressure plate towards the restrictionplate and deformation of the sealing ring.
 12. The hood sleeve of claim1 wherein the functional element is pulled by a lever that iseccentrically mounted to the functional element, the lever also beingremovably attachable to the hood sleeve.
 13. The hood sleeve of claim 1wherein the pressure plate is pulled towards the terminating platethereby deforming the sealing ring by a screw that passes though theterminating plate and threadably engages the pressure plate.
 14. Thehood sleeve of claim 1 wherein sealing ring is further characterized ashaving a Shore hardness of greater than
 10. 15. The hood sleeve of claim1 wherein the pressure plate is fabricated from an electricallyconductive material.
 16. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the pressureplate if fabricated from aluminum.
 17. The hood sleeve of claim 1wherein the pressure plate further comprises at least on groundconnection.
 18. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sealing bodyfurther comprises a through hole for accommodating a ground connection.19. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the cable inlets further comprisecylindrical projections.
 20. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein eachcable inlet further comprises cylindrical body and a conically shapedsealing member through which one of the optical fiber cables passes,each cable inlet also comprising a threaded end that threadablyaccommodates a nut, the nut engaging and compressing the sealing memberagainst the optical fiber cable and the cylindrical body of the inlet.21. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein each cable inlet furthercomprises cylindrical body, each cylindrical body comprises a profiledpressure piece that is biased inward towards the optical fiber cablethat passes through the cable inlet by a compression band that iswrapped around the cylindrical body.
 22. The hood sleeve of claim 1further comprising a clamping system for providing the compression sealbetween each cable inlet and each optical fiber cable, the clampingsystem comprising a seal through which the cable passes, an elongatedinner sleeve through which the cable and seal passes and a cylindricalbody disposed at each cable inlet, each cylindrical body furthercomprising profiled pressure piece that is biased radially inwardagainst the elongated inner sleeve by a compression band that wrapsaround the cylindrical body.
 23. The hood sleeve of claim 1 wherein thecassette carrier is pivotally connected to the sealing body.
 24. Thehood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the cassette carrier is detachablyconnected to the sealing body.
 25. The hood sleeve of claim 1 whereinthe cassettes are removably attached to the cassette carrier.
 26. Thehood sleeve of claim 1 wherein the cassettes are pivotally attached tothe cassette carrier.
 27. A hood sleeve for accommodating a plurality ofoptical fiber cables and cassettes, the optical fiber cables including aplurality of optical multifiber units, the hood sleeve comprising:a hoodbody having an open end, a closed end and an inner wall, and a sealingbody comprising a terminating plate and a pressure plate, theterminating plate being detachably connected to the open end of the hoodbody with the pressure plate disposed therebetween, the sealing bodyfurther comprising an annular sealing ring sandwiched between theterminating plate and the pressure plate, the terminating plate and thepressure plate being movable relative to one another for deforming thesealing ring in a radially outward direction and against the inner wallof the hood body, the terminating plate comprising a plurality of cableinlets, each cable inlet accommodating an optical fiber cable, eachcable inlet comprising a compression seal for providing a seal betweenthe optical fiber cable extending through the inlet and the inlet, thehood sleeve further comprising a cassette carrier for accommodating aplurality of cassettes, the cassette carrier being disposed between theclosed end of the hood body and the pressure plate, the hood sleevefurther comprising an open space disposed between the pressure plate andthe cassette carrier for dividing the optical fiber cables into opticalmultifiber units, the hood sleeve further comprising a plurality ofsupply chambers disposed between the cassette carrier and the inner wallof the hood body for accommodating the optical multifiber units.
 28. Ahood sleeve for accommodating a plurality of optical fiber cables andcassettes, the optical fiber cables including a plurality of opticalmultifiber units, the hood sleeve comprising:a hood body having an openend, a closed end and an inner wall, and a sealing body comprising aterminating plate and a pressure plate, the terminating plate beingdetachably connected to the open end of the hood body with the pressureplate disposed inside the hood body, the sealing body further comprisingan annular sealing ring sandwiched between the terminating plate and thepressure plate, the terminating plate and the pressure plate beingmovable relative to one another for deforming the sealing ring in aradially outward direction and against the inner wall of the hood body,the sealing body further comprising means for moving the pressure platetowards the terminating plate to compress the sealing ring and causingthe sealing ring to sealingly engage the inner wall of the hood body,the terminating plate comprising a plurality of cable inlets, each cableinlet accommodating an optical fiber cable, each cable inlet comprisingmeans for providing a compression seal between the optical fiber cableextending through the inlet and the inlet, the hood sleeve furthercomprising a cassette carrier for accommodating a plurality ofcassettes, the cassette carrier being disposed between the closed end ofthe hood body and the pressure plate, the hood sleeve further comprisingan open space disposed between the pressure plate and the cassettecarrier for dividing the optical fiber cables into optical multifiberunits, the hood sleeve further comprising a plurality of supply chambersdisposed between the cassette carrier and the inner wall of the hoodbody for accommodating extra portions of the optical multifiber units.